"You and I, we're merely shadows..."
Entertainment for the Braindead made its way to my ears a couple of years ago through a "mixtape" exchange on a forum I frequent (frequent is maybe an understatement, more like "live at"). I have many people to thank on there for exposing me to a lot of different artists that have had an indelible mark on my musical personality. Moving on: Entertainment for the Braindead is Julia Kotowski from Cologne, Germany. It's essentially just her singing with a guitar plus/minus a range of other miscellaneous instruments (including, but not limited to: ukulele, banjo, flute, tambourine, a cardboard box, and some peppermills).
Now, you may be picturing some sort of crazy girl with drums strapped to her back, a harmonica by her mouth and a guitar over her shoulder, singing while banging on pots and pans to create a cacophony of noise that doesn't resemble music. If you are, then wipe it from your mind because this is anything but. Entertainment for the Braindead, in addition to having a totally awesome name, is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Kotowski's majestic and honest voice permeates the tracks, while the simple yet layered music behind it, accompanies it perfectly.
Hydrophobia, released in 2008, is a 10-track aural dream. Beginning with "Prologue" that is just under the 2:00 mark, we hear a female voice reciting excerpts from Edgar Allan Poe's short story 'A Descent into the Maelstrom'. Perhaps a perfect way to begin an album titled after the fear of water.
To me, there isn't a stand out track on here, as they are all amazing. Each one with lyrics that are beautiful, emotional, and honest. Exactly what you want from a singer-songwriter. Generally singing about relationships and drowning, it may not be an upper, but life isn't all sunshine and rainbows now is it? Though the tracks still have a hope and solidarity in them. With the simple accompanying guitar and other instruments, the listener can focus on the subtleties of her voice. It's clear that Kotowski has a penchant for being self-deprecating, maybe even detached, but you get the feeling she's just being honest, she never takes it overboard (no pun intended). With lyrics like:
Thanks to this great site for a lot of the information here, as well as the official website, and Facebook. All Entertainment for the Braindead music is also available in the website above, here and, here for free under a Creative Commons license. Though honestly I'd pay good money for this stuff.
Lyrical excerpts from Run! and Mi Corazon, respectively.
Now, you may be picturing some sort of crazy girl with drums strapped to her back, a harmonica by her mouth and a guitar over her shoulder, singing while banging on pots and pans to create a cacophony of noise that doesn't resemble music. If you are, then wipe it from your mind because this is anything but. Entertainment for the Braindead, in addition to having a totally awesome name, is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Kotowski's majestic and honest voice permeates the tracks, while the simple yet layered music behind it, accompanies it perfectly.
Hydrophobia, released in 2008, is a 10-track aural dream. Beginning with "Prologue" that is just under the 2:00 mark, we hear a female voice reciting excerpts from Edgar Allan Poe's short story 'A Descent into the Maelstrom'. Perhaps a perfect way to begin an album titled after the fear of water.
To me, there isn't a stand out track on here, as they are all amazing. Each one with lyrics that are beautiful, emotional, and honest. Exactly what you want from a singer-songwriter. Generally singing about relationships and drowning, it may not be an upper, but life isn't all sunshine and rainbows now is it? Though the tracks still have a hope and solidarity in them. With the simple accompanying guitar and other instruments, the listener can focus on the subtleties of her voice. It's clear that Kotowski has a penchant for being self-deprecating, maybe even detached, but you get the feeling she's just being honest, she never takes it overboard (no pun intended). With lyrics like:
"Before I start
To sabotage you
Run!
Before I start
To complicate you
Run!"
and
"Of course you can have my heart
If you want
Just cut it loose and pull it out and leave
I'm glad if you take it away from me"
Self-described as "acoustic egocentric post-pop", this is nothing short of something truly special. If you want to hear a real album, that clearly comes from the heart, this is for you. It is kind of Entertainment for the Braindead to share the music she creates with us, I for one am extremely thankful.
Thanks to this great site for a lot of the information here, as well as the official website, and Facebook. All Entertainment for the Braindead music is also available in the website above, here and, here for free under a Creative Commons license. Though honestly I'd pay good money for this stuff.
Lyrical excerpts from Run! and Mi Corazon, respectively.
No comments:
Post a Comment